War Relief Updates - September 1, 2023

Thank you for your concern and for praying for Ukraine and the Ukrainian People

1. One of our partnering churches in Ukraine is on the outskirts of Vinnitsa, a large city where a group of 800 refugees from Kherson recently arrived, each with just the clothes they were wearing and a small bag. These people are victims of the flooding caused by the Russians exploding the Nova Kakhovka Dam. BIEM personnel were able to drive a large vehicle full of much-needed aid to that church. These items will help that congregation minister to these people who have lost nearly all their possessions.

2. Polonne in Khelnitskiy region is another large city that has received many refugees. This week, BIEM church planter Eugene Buyko was able to take a large load of humanitarian aid to a local church ministering to this group of refugees. The mayor there presented Eugene with an official letter of commendation and appreciation to BIEM for the help they are receiving. In fact, BIEM has received dozens of such official expressions of gratitude from local authorities in the areas where we have provided war relief. And even though our ministry’s name is the one on these letters of deep gratitude, all of you who are giving are the ones who deserve the real thanks. May our Heavenly Father reward you richly for these donations in Christ’s name to bless people going through extreme hardships!

3. One of the most common questions we receive at BIEM is “What are the most pressing needs in Ukraine right now?” Of course, contributions to BIEM’s War Relief Fund are always needed and give us much flexibility in the kinds of aid we can supply for churches to minister to their countrymen. But in this week’s video, Sam Slobodian and Ukrainian missionary-pastor Vitaly Bilyak discuss specific non-monetary needs that many of you friends can provide with unused items in your cabinets, closets, or basements. To view this brief video, please click the following link:

https://vimeo.com/user37287229/ukraineneeds

4. Sasha Petrenko, the BIEM church planter on the military base in Goncharovsk, was scheduled to deliver relief to the Goncharovsk brigade that is battling in Zaporizhzhia. However, the commander there called and told him to postpone this delivery because the battle was so intense that they could come under fire. Sasha and his team hope to make this trip next week instead. Please pray that Sasha and those who are part of the group delivering this aid will be able to do so, and please pray for their safety as well.

5. Although it’s not exactly a war-relief item, yesterday we were thrilled to receive a beautiful wooden pulpit from a church in Indianapolis. When that congregation remodeled their interior, their pulpit no longer matched—so they donated it to us. As with previous such gifts, this pulpit will be shipped to Ukraine with our next load of humanitarian aid. There, it will be used to preach God’s Word and to glorify Him. And if any of you have access to good, solid pulpits (or other church furniture, such as chairs and folding tables) that aren’t being used, we would be thrilled to accept them for Eastern Europe!

Sam Slobodian
President - BIEM